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WT he Triumph of 
CHRISTIANITY 









AUG 9 1922 


A Play in Three Parts 


by 
Florence Walvoord 





WOMAN’S BOARD OF Svea pate isis tana S 
Reformed rae ta in Amer 
25 East 22nd St. New “Yo rk City 


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Ty ete 


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The 
Triumph 


of 
Christianity 








A PLAY: IN THREE PARTS 
By 
FLORENCE WALVOORD 


BAR DT 


ScENE—Land-of-the-Heathen. 


CHARACTERS 
CHILDHOOD—Small person dressed to represent suffering. 
WoMANHOoD—Larger person—hands bound with chains and 
dressed in very sober colors. 
MANHOoop—Burden on his back. 


SUPERSTITION 
FAMINE Any costume thought appropriate—Pesti- 


PESTILENCE | lence might be bright red or yellow. 
FALSE WORSHIP 
DEsPAIR—Woman or man dressed in black (flowing robes 
if possible). 
(Manhood, Womanhood and Childhood in the background as 
if ina half conscious state—Superstition enters) 
SUPERSTITION—-Who am I but Prince Superstition? Here 
am I in the Land-of-the-Heathen where I am Lord of all, 
whether man, woman or child. King am I at the fireside, 


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THE TRIUMPH OF CHRISTIANITY 


ruler am I in the streets; yea, even to beds of pain I come 
to assert my authority in hours of agony, and I bring 
torment until the last breath of life has passed away. 
Once I held sway over the world, but my enemy, the Prince 
of Light, has taken many lands from me, but here in the 
Land-of-the-Heathen, I hold full sway over these (pointing 
to the three in the background) and their kindred and I 
shall continue to hold them in my iron grasp if only that 
_ancient foe, the Prince of Light, comes not. Away with 
Him from the earth! 


(Enter Famine) 


FAMINE—(Looking at the three figures) Ah! here I find 
some of my subjects. But what are these among so many, 
for I dwell in the most densely populated districts of the 
world. In India and China alone do I control one-half of 
the world’s people. With the aid of my accomplices, 
Poverty and Ignorance, I hold in a bondage worse than 
death, millions of human beings. Because of the aid of 
kind Ignorance they know not how to make the earth yield 
her increase, and friend Poverty keeps down thousands until 
I can demonstrate my power and crush out the breath 
of life. Yea, ye and your kinsmen (looking at group in 
background) are mine and can be wrested from me by one 
only, the Spirit of Christianity. Let her be content with 
those she now controls. (Steps aside a little as Pestilence 
enters). 


(Enter Pestilence) 


PESTILENCE—I, Pestilence, follow at the heels of Igno- 
rance, Superstition, Poverty and Famine. Since they dwell 
in the Land-of-the-Heathen, so must I. My chief delight is 


4 


THE TRIUMPH OF CHRISTIANITY 


in visiting the crowded cities with no knowledge of sani- 
tation, and spreading my disease-bringing fingers over them. 
Then I show my power, and many such as these (pointing 
at group) wither at my touch. Those at the evening of 
life drop off, those who are still living at high noon droop 
and fade and even the opening bud of childhood is powerless 
against me. Ah! what brings greater satisfaction than to 
show that one is powerful even over the life of man. (Steps 
aside a little as False Worship enters). 


(Enter False Worship) 


FALSE WorSHIP—Some call me Buddhism, some Con- 
fucianism, some Shintoism, some Mohammedanism. /Yea, 
my names are many. But those to whom Christ is known 
know me by the name False Worship. Some of these hate 
me with a bitter hatred, but thanks be to some that call 
themselves Christians I can rule for many ages to come in 
the Land-of-the-Heathen. Here I am safe because of thy 
help, O Prince Superstition, and the help of thy friend, 
Ignorance. Through thee millions acknowledge me as their 
king and lord. Through thee men bow down to wood and 
stone and live in mortal fear and agony of the world of 
Evil Spirits. Oh, yes, power have I over body and better 
than that, over soul. Yea, the souls of many are bound as 
with a chain which One alone can break. That One has 
given the privilege to those whose chains he has broken to 
help break those of others, but thanks be to the Spirit of 
Indifference many of them have fallen asleep at the task. 
Let them remain in that self-satisfied state; let them content 
themselves with their own freedom from bondage; let them 
leave prayer unused; let them satisfy themselves with get- 
ting wealth wherewith to get greater comforts. Then shall 


has) 


THE TRIUMPH OF CHRISTIANITY 


I not only hold unlimited sway of these in the Land-of-the- 
Heathen but I may even win those praylerless, money-crav- 
ing hearts for myself. Ah! no, the king, False Worship, 
is not dead. 


(Enter Despair) 


DESPAIR—Most of my subjects are found in the Land-of- 
the-Heathen. My favorite place is in the heart. When my 
aids, Superstition, Famine, Ignorance, Poverty, Pestilence 
and especially False Worship, have done their best, there is 
“no room in the heart for Hope, but I delight in that kind 
of an environment. There is food for me and I grow and 
increase. So much do I grow that often I take entire pos- 
session of the darkened heart. 


(Superstition, Famine, Pestilence, False Worship and De- 
spair recede to the background as Childhood arises.) 


CHILDHOOD—I am hungry and sick. I don’t know what’s 
the matter. And in my heart there’s a longing for some- 
thing, but I don’t even know what it is. I am afraid the 
evil spirits will get me and that the gods are angry with me. 
They tell me that in the Land-of-Christianity when children 
are hungry some one feeds them; when they are sick some 
kind person gives them something that cures them; and that 
someone they call Jesus loves them; that they are not afraid 
of their God; that children laugh and sing all day long. 
They say that’s because Jesus lives there. Couldn’t he 
live here? Do the children there know that there are many 
here who are not as happy as they? I wonder, if some of 
them came here, whether Jesus wouldn’t live here too. Oh! 
I am so tired and hungry and sick. I wish Jesus lived here 
too. 


THE TRIUMPH OF CHRISTIANITY 


MANHOop—(arises) This burden on my back is very 
heavy, but there is something that seems heavier. Where 
can I get rid of it? Is there no power that can take it from 
me? Why do the gods bring us upon this earth? It it to 
be tormented and tortured by the evil spirits? Is there no 
place to which I may turn to get rid of the weight inside 
of me? Drown it in the depths of the river I cannot, to 
flee from it is beyond my power. Oh! what can I do? 

WoMANHOOD—Oh, what a life is mine! Here I am 
bound. Would that I had never been born a woman! Even 
the birds of the air and the beasts of the field are free. 
I have heard of a land where women live happily with 
their husbands and children, where women and girls are 
loved. Love! What is Love? I understand it not. Live 
happily with my husband! Impossible! The only time he 
speaks to me is when I have done something to offend him 
and then he snarls at me. Most of the time he is gone 
with other men. What does he care about me! They say 
that in that land women appear on the streets with faces 
unveiled. If any man but my husband should see me, I 
should bring disgrace upon myself for life. I should rather 
die than that. And yet women are respected there? Im- 
possible! But, oh! I am so tired of being bound. Just for 
a day of freedom. What have I done that the gods treat 
me worse than my sisters of the West? Won’t someone 
tell me how to appease the wrath of the gods? Won’t some- 
one tell me the secret of that wonderful charm? Whence 
shall my help come? Oh, sister of the West, I beg of you 
tell me your secret of a happy life. Oh! just for a day of 
freedom. 


(Curtain or lights) 
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THE TRIUMPH OF CHRISTIANITY 


TABLEAU—(representing the power of Superstition, 
Famine, Pestilence, False Worship and Despair over the 
heathen). (Manhood, Womanhood and Childhood in the 
center with heads bowed and evil spirits—Superstition, 
False Worship, Famine, Pestilence and Despair—grouped 
about them with hands upon them to show their gripping 
power). 

Sonc—(“F'rom Greenland’s Icy Mountains” stanzas 1 and 
_2 by choir or few individuals seated). 


PART 


SCENE—In the Land-of-Christianity. 


CHARACTERS 

INDIFFERENCE—Slovenly dressed, even mixture of color, but 
not colors that clash. 

Sir on Mapam UNINForMED—Carrying a daily paper—air 
of self-content. 

HIDDEN VOICE. 

MISERLINESS—gripping pocket book carried so that it is 
readily seen. 

SELFISHNESS— Well-dressed. 

ALTRUISM—Carrying basket of food or toys that might be 
given away. Dressed in some delicate color, preferably 
not all white. 

CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR—Dressed in traveling suit of business- 
like attire. 


THE TRIUMPH OF CHRISTIANITY 


SPIRIT OF CHRISTIANITY—Dressed in long white flowing robe, 
dainty white head-dress or otherwise a crown. She may 
also carry a staff. 


FattH—Dressed in white, but with something to make it. 
distinctly different from the costume of Spirit of Chris- 
tianity. Carrying a cross. 


HoreE—White costume—carrying an anchor. 
LovE—Dressed in blue flowing robe or otherwise like a nurse. 


On the platform is a chart containing statistics about 
the situation in the foreign field—e. g. number of people 
who have not heard the gospel, proportion of doctors to 
population, cost of sending a missionary. 


(Enter Indifference) 


INDIFFERENCE—(reads aloud) Oh, I heard that story be- 
fore. I saw that in some religious. paper at my neighbor’s 
home. One day I was waiting for him and saw the paper 
lying on the table. For want of something better to do I 
read it. You know my neighbor likes to read about missions. 
But what do I care about those heathen so far away? I 
never was interested in them. What are they to me? Most 
of them are black, or yellow, or brown anyway. (Goes 
away and Sir Uninformed enters). 


(Enter Sir Uninformed) 


Sirk UNINFORMED—/(reads slowly and aloud) That many 
people without doctors, and so many who are still in dark- 
ness without the Gospel who never heard the story of Christ? 
I never heard that before. I wonder what is the matter with 


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THE TRIUMPH OF CHRISTIANITY 


them? Can’t they read the Bible? Didn’t they have just 
as goood a chance to hear about Christ as I? Don’t they 
know that people sometimes are sick? Then why don’t they 
have doctors? I don’t believe the things that chart says. 
Somebody told a lie. They’ll have to prove that first before 
I believe it. 

HIDDEN VoIcE—Oh, man, thou shouldst have known of 
_the cause of the Kingdom. Knowest thou not that in thy 
country ignorance of the law excuseth no one? Neither 
does ignorance concerning the situation in the spiritual 
kingdom excuse thee. Thou knowest that thou shouldst 
have read the reports of the Kingdom as well as of thy 
state and country. Go to thy home and study concerning 
the Kingdom of thy God that thou mayst know the world’s 
need. (Goes out slowly with bowed head as if conscience 
stricken. 


(Enter Miserliness) 


MISERLINESS—(reads also, especially amount of money it 
takes to support a missionary.) I don’t see why people 
must always ask for money anyway. It’s give to this and 
give to that. Recently it was the Liberty Loan, Red Cross, 
United War Work and such things. Then came a call to 
help the refugees in Armenia and Syria and I just heard 
they want some more now. And here and other places I 
see that they are asking more for missions than ever be- 
fore. I’m tired of giving. I’d like to know what right 
they have to ask for my money? Isn’t it mine? Didn’t I 
work for it? Can’t I do with it what I please? I’m tired 
of being asked for money. (Goes out disgusted, almost 
stamping). 


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THE TRIUMPH OF CHRISTIANITY 


HIDDEN VoiIceE—Dost thou think that thou canst take thy 
silver and thy gold with thee into the world beyond? Dost 
thou not know that thy silver and gold perish with thee? 
And if thou hast worked for it, has not thy God blessed 
thy efforts? Was it not in His power to take it from thee? 
Dost thou not know that to thee has been given the great 
privilege to work with thy God through thy money? Dost 
thou owe Him nothing as a thank-offering for thy salvation? 


(Enter Selfishness) 


SELFISHNESS—(reads and is impressed) So many without 
doctors! How awful disease must be! So many souls perish- 
ing without Christ! Oh! those thoughts are too awful. I 
do not want to think about them. I am so happy in my home. 
I can’t spoil my happiness by being haunted by the needs 
of others. Some way or other the heathen must take care 
of themselves. I must get away from this thought, or it 
will haunt me in my dreams to-night. Besides, what are 
those black and yellow people to me anyway? I care more 
about the people here. Those over there are such thankless 
creatures. They’ll never know anyway that I helped them. 
I want to work where I am appreciated. (Hurries away). 

HIDDEN VOICcCE—How long will love of self and ease live 
in the world! Woman, where wouldst thou and thine have 
been if no one had taken more thought for thee than thou 
dost of thy brethren across the seas? 


(Enter Altruism) 


ALTRUISM—For years I have been working among the 
poor and unfortunate of our own land. Here, and in other 
places, I find that my brothers and sisters of the black and 


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THE TRIUMPH OF CHRISTIANITY 


yellow skin are still more in need. I must do something to 
help them too. What would the people in this country be 
if it were not for the Gospel and the civilization which it 
brings? I’ll give my money, I’ll give my time, yea, anything 
to help them. (Christian Endeavor enters and Altruism 
calls her attention to the chart). See! Christian Endeavor, 
our brothers and sisters are calling for help. Can you 
- suggest any way in which we can bring it to them? 

CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR—Dear Altruism, the Church and I, 
her helper, make it our business, too, to help those in need. 
We have found that by sending the Spirit of Christianity 
we can do the most good. Why not send her with her hand- 
maidens, Faith, Hope and Love? We can see that she is 
supplied with all the things needed to work with. That will 
be our little part, for you know she never goes unless people 
will do something to send her. So the Divine Ruler has 
decreed. Here comes the Spirit of Christianity now. 
(Christianity enters with handmaidens). Oh, Spirit of 
Christianity, over there in the Land-of-the-Heathen there 
are many whose need you alone can supply. Won’t you let 
us send you and your handmaidens? We have plenty, they 
are in want; we are happy, they are in despair; we know 
the true God, they bow down to wood and stone. Oh! you 
who have brought life and happiness to us, won’t you let 
us send you to them with your healing power over body and 
soul? 

CHRISTIANITY—My handmaidens and I are anxious to go 
to those waiting harvest fields. We should have gone long 
ago but there was no one to send us. Blessed are men when 
they know God, but thrice blessed are they if they are anx- 
ious to make Him known to those who know Him not. In- 
deed, I say it is doubtful if they know God if they do not 


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THE TRIUMPH OF CHRISTIANITY 


tell the story to others. But the Kingdom requires haste. 
There is no time for delay. The harvest fields are white. 
Let us go. 


(Curtain or lights.) . 


Sonc—(“Speed away, Speed away.’ By choir or 
quartette.) 


PART III. 
ScENE—In the Land-of-the-Heathen. 


CHARACTERS 


Manhood, Womanhood, Childhood, Superstition, Famine, 
Pestilence, False Worship, Despair, Spirit of Christianity, 
Faith, Hope and Love. Attired the same as in Parts I and 
Il. 


Opening scene the same as the tableau at end of Part I. 
Spirit of Christianity appears with her handmaidens. She 
sends Love first. 


(Enter Love) 


LovE—(touching Childhood) Child, you are in pain. What 
is the matter? (Child starts at sympathetic touch) Ah! 
yes, I see you are underfed and sick and that your arm 
has been hurt. Won’t you let me help you? (Childhood 
stares in wonderment and fear as she binds up the wound. 
Love soliloquizes as she works) Poor Childhood in the Land- 
of-the-Heathen. It shrinks at the kind word and sympathetic 
touch. So foreign is Love, all because the Christ-Child has 
not come. It must be given food and nursed back to health, 
and the story of Jesus, which it longs for, must be told to 


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THE TRIUMPH OF CHRISTIANITY 


man, woman and child. Then will Childhood in the Land- 
of-the-Heathen be joyous and happy as it is in the Land-of- 
Christianity. (Speaks to Child) Do you know that Jesus 
loves you? 

CHILDHoopD—(In bewilderment)—Loves? 

Love—Yes, He loves you and wants to live with you and 
_make you happy like the children living in the Land-of-Chris- 
tianity. (Love leaves Childhood with a joyous expression 
on the face. She touches Manhood and Womanhood also. 
Despair loses grip, Pestilence recedes a little. The Spirit 
of Christianity steps forward with Faith and Hope. Love 
steps back a little.) 

MANHOoOopD—Who are these that are coming? 

SPIRIT OF CHRISTIANITY—I am the Spirit of Christianity 
and these are my handmaidens, Faith and Hope. I have 
already sent Love. We all have come to help you. We have 
been sent by your brothers and sisters in the Land-of-Chris- 
tianity. Their burdens have fallen and they desire the same 
for you. 

FattH—Oh, Manhood, Womanhood and Childhood in the 
Land-of-the-Heathen, I bring you a gladsome message. I 
bring you the story of One who will take away all the 
burdens from your heart and will help you to bear all others. 
You have long groped about in darkness and sin. You have 
found that the gods you worship cannot take away your 
burdens. The burden that weighs upon you is the burden 
of sin and only Jesus Christ can save you from it. ‘God so 
loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son that 
whosoever believeth on Him should not perish but have 
everlasting life.” Do you hear that message? God is not 
a God of anger. He is a God of love. You need not bring 
Him costly offerings to appease His wrath. All He asks 


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THE TRIUMPH OF CHRISTIANITY 


is that you believe in Him. Your gods do not love you, Christ 
does; your gods cannot give you freedom, Christ can. Re- 
ceive The Christ. Let Him dwell with you and let Him 
give freedom that cannot be taken away, joy that knows 
no ending, and peace that passeth understanding. 

MANHOOD, WOMANHOOD AND CHILDHOOD—(prayerfully) 
Oh, Lord, I believe. Help Thou my unbelief. 


(False Worship departs with Superstition; Despair recedes) 


Hopr—I, too, have come to aid. I bring you the same 
message as Faith. But that you may be happier 
I shall give you schools that you may learn how to drive 
away Pestilence and Poverty, how you may drive away 
Famine by making the earth to yield her increase. But 
better still, through these schools you may learn more 
about the Christ and how to bring Him and His story to 
those who have it not. The God you have just accepted 
depends upon you to bring the Gospel to most of your 
countrymen. 


(Famine and Pestilence recede. Despair departs. Manhood, 
Womanhood and Childhood draw nearer the Spirit of 
Christianity ) 


MaNHoop—O blessed Spirit of Christianity, O blessed 
Hope and Faith and Love! The burden on my heart is 
gone and the burden on my back is lighter. The promise 
is true. Now we know that Love comes from The Christ 
alone. Without Him Love cannot be; neither can there be 
Faith and Hope. Thanks be to Thee, O Spirit of Christianity, 
to those who made it possible for thee to come and to the 
God who sent thee. Praise shall ever be on our lips. But one 


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THE TRIUMPH OF CHRISTIANITY 


request I have, speed thy message to the ends of the earth 
ere it is too late. 

WoMANHOOD,—(Joyfully) At last, I am free. Oh, to think 
that I shall never be bound again! I, too, must tell the 
good news to the rest of my sisters. I must go at once 
before they perish. 

CHILDHOopD—I was hungry and ye fed me, sick and ye 
came unto me. Ye taught me what love is. I, too, feel the 
love of Jesus in my heart. No longer am I afraid of evil 
spirits. God is a God of love. I know it better than tongue 
can tell. Now I, too, shall laugh and sing from morn to 
eve. 


(Curtain or lights) 

TABLEAU—Triumph of Christianity. Spirit of Christianity 
standing on some elevation. Faith, holding aloft the cross, 
Hope holding up the anchor, and Love, all grouped just 
below the Spirit of Christianity. Manhood, Womanhood and 
Childhood kneeling before them. 

Sonc— (“Now Be the Gospel Banner”, or any other song 
that has a strong triwmphant note.) 


Woman’s Board of Foreign Missions 
Reformed Church in America 
25 East 22d St., New York, N. Y. 


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